Nurses at HCA's Las Palmas Medical Center Picket Over Staffing Issues

Nurses at HCA's Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, picketed over staffing issues as the union that represents the nurses works to secure a new contract with the hospital, according to anEl Paso Timesreport.

The nurses, represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee-Texas, part of National Nurses United, claim nurse-to-patient ratios at the hospital have exceeded agreed-upon standards. The union is asking the hospital to include minimum staffing levels in the nurses' contract.

Las Palmas declined to discuss information about the negotiations but emphasized that patient safety is an "absolute priority" for the hospital, according to the report.